Dog Adoptions Are Back On At The Sioux Falls Humane Society

The Sioux Falls Humane Society is officially back in the dog adoption business!

After a confirmed case of canine distemper earlier this month, the shelter had to hit the pause button on dog adoptions for several weeks. Humane Society Community Outreach Director Dana Konzem said the trouble began when one dog suddenly became severely ill.

Konzem told Dakota News Now, “At the beginning of this month, we had a dog who became severely ill here at the shelter. It wasn’t symptoms that we recognized, so we immediately took the dog to the E-vet, where unfortunately it did pass away.”

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Once the illness appeared, the shelter immediately tested the dog. It confirmed canine distemper, a highly contagious viral disease, forcing staff to suspend all dog adoptions and launch emergency cleaning and testing procedures.

During the temporary shutdown, every dog in the building underwent testing and antibody screening before being cleared to return to the adoption floor.

And now the good news: as of Friday, November 21, nearly 30 dogs have been officially cleared and are back on display, tails wagging, ready and waiting to find their forever homes just in time for the holidays.

But before you sprint over with a giant red bow and place it on a Doberman Pinscher for Christmas morning, the Humane Society suggests you take a breath.

“If you want to get a puppy for your kid, maybe do something a little bit different,” Konzem told Dakota News Now. “Get them a stuffed animal saying ‘Let’s go pick out your new best friend,’ instead of just getting them an animal over the holiday.”

Why the wait?

Because bringing home a new furry family member is a long-term commitment. Food, vet bills, training, it adds up faster than a Labrador can inhale a dropped chicken nugget. The Humane Society simply wants families to make sure they’re truly ready before they adopt.

When the time is right, the staff will be more than happy to help you find the big sweetie who will help make your canine dreams come true.

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And even if you’re not in the market for a new pet right now, you can still support the Humane Society. Donations are always welcome, and sharing photos of adoptable pets on social media helps these animals find loving homes even faster.

You can check out all the animals currently up for adoption, and learn about ways to donate, right here.